HeavyDirtySoul

21:15

Hillside Cafe, Downtown Los Angeles

Nyssa was standing in front of the cafe by herself. Michael was late.

''I was actually beginning to think that he chickened out and stood me up... But why would I care even if he did?''

She was wearing a dusty rose, sleeveless jumpsuit. It had thin straps and a low v-neck. Her back was completely naked revealing another tattoo, other than the sleeve tattoo on her right arm. Following the line of her spine, the words ''You were playing with matches and I had a paper heart.'' were written vertically. On her feet she had black high heels with a flower print. A small black bag was hanging over her shoulder. Her eyeliner was as flawless as ever and her lipstick was matching the color of her jumpsuit.

A few more minutes passed.

''...And I got sick and tired of waiting.''

Nyssa started walking away, but a white Range Rover pulled up and it caught her attention.

''Typical rich boy ride, if you ask me.''

- You're not leaving, are you? - Michael hurriedly got out of the car.

- Well I was about to. I've been here for almost half an hour. - Nyssa stated, she was pissed.

''And I had every right to be pissed.''

Michael approached her. She crossed her arms.

- I'm so sorry. - Michael said apologetically. - I...

- As you should be.

- I'm so sorry... Please don't leave. - Michael said, he truly meant it.

''I'm such a wuss sometimes. How could I fall for that act?''

Nyssa didn't say anything.

- You look gorgeous. - Michael said with a shy smile, his cheeks matching his hair color.

''Like I said before: flattery will get you nowhere, kiss ass.''

She didn't respond to his compliment.

- Why were you late? - She asked him.

- I was trying to get a reservation. - He answered honestly.

''Oh god, this part is too funny... You'll get it soon.''

- So, are you leaving? - Michael asked, a part of him didn't want to know the answer.

- No. - She simply said.

''I didn't really have anything better to do, so...''

- No? - He asked her in disbelief.

- You have got to stop doing that. - Nyssa told him.

- Sorry, it's just... Nothing. I'm rambling. - He chuckled awkwardly.

She smiled.

- Now that was definitely a smile. - Michael proudly said.

- You want me to leave?

- No, please don't go... I'm sorry.

''He looked like a lost puppy. It was quite adorable.''

- Here. - Michael opened the car door for her.

- Thank you. - Nyssa said quietly before getting in.

''God, he was so awkward.''

- Ow! - Nyssa suddenly yepled in pain. - What the hell is wrong with you?

Not realizing Nyssa's right leg still wasn't in the car, Michael slammed the door, bringing out a whimper from her.

- Oh my God, I'm so sorry! - Michael kneeled down next to her, both his expresion and his voice were filled with worry. - Are you alright? I'm so sorry... I didn't mean to.

Nyssa took a deep breath.

- I'm fine. Now, can we go before I change my mind about all of this? - She said emotionless.

''I know I sometimes seem quite bitchy and heartless, but... I have my reasons.''

The second the doors closed an awkward silence filled the car.

- Can I ask you something? - Michael was the first one to speak, glancing at Nyssa.

- It's a free country. - Nyssa said, keeping her eyes on the road ahead of them.

He chuckled slightly.

- Why do you have... - Nyssa cut him off.

- ...''You were playing with matches and I had a paper heart.'' tattooed on my back? - She still wasn't looking at him.

- Yeah, how did you know I was gonna ask you that?

- That's the first thing I would ask.

- So, are you gonna answer? - He asked her quietly.

- Let's just say I was young and stupid. - She answered after a few moments of silence.

Nyssa's eyes were now fixed on her hands in her lap.

Michael knew there was more to it than just that, but he didn't push her.

''He didn't know shit. If he did, he wouldn't've....''

- We're here. - Michael said, breaking the silence that, once again, overtook the space.

Nyssa looked out the window. A neon sign above the mirrored doors said ''The Lunar Exhibit''. She didn't realized Michael already got out of the car, and was now opening hers.

- Thank you. - She said as she got out.

- No problem. - He tried to give her his best and most charming smile.

- The Lunar Exhibit?

- You've never been here? - Michael asked her.

- No. - She answered shortly.

- Well, it's the best steak house in all of LA. - Michael said. - Come on.

''Just wait...''

Michael rushed ahead of her to, once again, open the doors for her.

- You know, you don't have to keep doing that. - Nyssa told him. - I appreaciate it, but it's unnecessary.

- I don't mind. - He said and smiled at her. - Besides, you deserve it.

She stopped to look at him, but he just continued walking.

They were seated at a table for two. The enterior of The Lunar Exhibit was fancy, to say the least. The walls were black with black vintage lanterns on them. A huge, crystal chandelier was hanging low from the ceiling right above the centre of the venue, right above Michael and Nyssa. It's safe to say that he put a lot of effort into this.

''And it's safe to say that neither of us belonged there.''

The tables were covered with silk, crimson red tablecloths. A few candles in the middle of each one of them.

- So tell me, is Nyssa your real...I mean, your birth name? - They were making small talk while waiting for a waiter to come to their table.

- Maybe, maybe not. - She was as mysterious as always.

''Hey, I take pride in being mysterious...so thank you!''

- Oh, come on.

- That's not something I usually reveal on the first date. - She told him.

- Then I'll have to take you out on a second one. - Michael said, a smile not leaving his face.

- Oh, you have to earn that.

- Alright, challenge accepted.

Nyssa smiled slightly at his livelyness.

- Hi, welcome to The Lunar Exhibit, here are the menus. - A waiter in his 30s approached their table and handed them the menus.

''Wait for it...''

Nyssa awkwardly looked at Michael.

''Wait for it...''

- Order anything you want. - Michael told her with a smile.

''And, voila.''

- Well I'm a vegetarian and we're at a steak house, so I don't really have a lot of options. - Nyssa didn't bother with delivering the news gently.

''I love this part... The look on his face was priceless.''

- You're a...

- Damn. - The waiter commented before laughing.

Nyssa was trying to hold back her laughter.

- Why didn't you tell me? - Michael looked lost and devastated.

- It's fine, don't worry about it. - She said trough a small laughter and looked at the waiter. - I'll just have a salad, thank you.

- Alright, honey... - He told her. - And what can I get you?

It was an hour into their date.

They finished their meals and were now toasting with some wine.

- I'm really sorry about bringing you to a steak house. - Michael hasn't stopped apologizing to her.

- For the hundredth time tonight: stop apologizing to me, it's fine... - Nyssa reassured him. - And it's getting annoying.

''Yeah, I was legless, so...blame it on the wine.''

Michael suddenly got quiet. His smile disappeared and his gaze was no longer on her eyes, like it has been the entire evening, it was now on her tattooed arm.

Noticing Michael's gaze, she quickly removed her right arm from the table and put it on her lap.

- When did you... - She cut him off.

- I don't want to talk about it. - Nyssa said, her voice was harsh.

- You've barely said anything all evening, you could... - She cut him off again.

- I said I don't want to talk about it! - She said, almost yelled, thankfully no one looked.

- I'm sorry. - He said quietly. - If you ever want to talk, I'm here for you... I can help you.

''Yeah, right.''

- Help me? - She looked up at him for the first time since he started this conversation.

- Yes, help you. - He said with a soft smile.

Nyssa snickered.

- Love, I'm past helping.

Michael was about to get up from his chair, but he rocked the table, knocking Nyssa's glass down in the process and spilling wine all over her jumpsuit.

- Oh, come on.

- Shit! I'm so sorry. - Michael rushed over to her. - I swear I'm not doing this on purpose.

- Thanks for helping. - Nyssa said sarcastically.

- Nyssa, I'm so sorry. - Michael said apologetically.

She breathed out.

- Can we just go? - She asked him.

- Yeah, yeah, sure. - Michael said, taken back by her question.

After gathering all of their things and taking care of the check they left the The Lunar Exhibit.

They were walking towards Michael's car when he suddenly stopped.

- I'm really sorry about...well everything. - His cheeks were flushed and he seemed truly sorry. - I'm usually a lot more fun on dates.

- Oh, so you don't slam all of your dates' legs and spill wine on them? Wow, I fell special. - Nyssa said sarcastically.

Michael looked down in embarrassment. Nyssa approached him.

- Some things excluded... - He looked up at her. - I had a good time.

- You don't have to lie. - He smiled weakly.

- I'm not lying. I actually had fun. - Nyssa reassured him.

- Exactly which part of this date was fun to you? - He still didn't believe her.

She took one step closer to him.

- The part where you were yourself and not the guy you pretend to be for the cameras. - Nyssa said softly.

- So, does that mean I earned a second date with you? - He asked cockily.

- Don't get ahead of yourself, love. - Nyssa told him.

- Is that a maybe, then?

- Maybe.

Michael chuckled. He stepped closer to her. Their faces were now a mere inch away. He bit his bottom lip.

- That's Michael. - A group of people was a few feet away from them, cameras in their hands.

- Fuck. - Michael said.

- Looks like the magic wore off. - Nyssa said before walking past him and heading towards the car.

- Next time. - Michael whispered.

Notes

I hope you guys like this chapter...

If anyone here also reads my story ''Pretty Girls Hide Pain So Deep Inside'', I won't be updating today, I'm sorry, I just got caught up writing this and what I have planned for the next chapter is really important and I don't want to write it in a rush.

I have a question, I just got an idea for a new story and I might start writing it soon, but I'm not sure which guy to make it about, what do you guys think?

Thank you so much for reading!

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Love, Adrena Lynn